Surgical laser cutting device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a surgical handpiece for providing an electromagnetic cutting blade. The handpiece, comprises a body portion having an input end and an output end, a plurality of optical fibers for receiving laser energy having a wavelength within a predetermined wavelength range, wherein the optical fibers are received in the body portion at the input end and extend to the output end, and an optical fiber transition region within the body portion for arranging the plurality of optical fibers into a predetermine cutting shape at the output end, wherein laser energy transmitted from the arranged optical fibers at the output end interact with water molecules near the surgical target to generate micro-explosions that result in a cutting effect.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/542,712, filed Oct. 3, 2011, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology described herein relates generally to medical lasers and,more particularly, to surgical applications of medical lasers.

BACKGROUND

Surgical instruments typically employed in applications such asorthopedics and oral surgery, in the ablation or cutting of hard tissueor bone, include high speed oscillating saws, manual saws or chisels.For example, depicted in FIG. 1 is an oscillating saw that may beoperated by hand or that may be caused to vibrate by a motor in order tocut through a relatively large bone. A handle 10 has a cutting blade 20disposed at the end of the handle. A sawing motion perpendicular to adirection of travel 30 can be used to saw through bone tissue 40.Devices such as these produce a cutting effect using friction. Friction,however, produces heat and the heat can cause the death of cells nearthe cut zone due to thermal necrosis.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings provided herein, a surgical handpiecefor providing an electromagnetic cutting blade is disclosed. Thehandpiece, comprises a body portion having an input end and an outputend, a plurality of optical fibers for receiving laser energy having awavelength within a predetermined wavelength range, wherein the opticalfibers are received in the body portion at the input end and extend tothe output end, and an optical fiber transition region within the bodyportion for arranging the plurality of optical fibers into apredetermine cutting shape at the output end, wherein laser energytransmitted from the arranged optical fibers at the output end reactwith fluid molecules near the surgical target to generatemicro-explosions that result in a cutting effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Depicted in FIG. 1 is an oscillating saw that may be operated by hand orthat may be caused to vibrate by a motor in order to cut through arelatively large bone;

Depicted in FIG. 2 is an example laser handpiece device 100 that can beused for cutting bone or other hard biological material;

Depicted in FIG. 3A is a side view of an example laser handpiece device100;

Depicted in FIG. 3B is a top view of the example laser handpiece device100;

Depicted in FIG. 3C is a view of an example handpiece having acylindrical shape;

Depicted in FIG. 4A is a view of the transition region 120;

Depicted in FIG. 4B is an example housing 126 for fanning out theoptical fibers;

Depicted in FIG. 5A is an example system for dispersing collimated light132 from a collimated laser source to the individual optical fibers thatenter the handheld device;

Depicted in FIGS. 5B-5D are example control signals for controlling thescan rate of mirror 134;

FIG. 6A illustrates that electromagnetic energy 140 dispensed from anexample handpiece 142 may be collimated and therefore will spread slowlyas it propagates toward a cut zone 144 at a surgical target 146;

Depicted in FIG. 6B are various tips that may be applied to the end 148of handpiece 142 to cause more spreading of the electromagnetic energyas it is dispensed to create a wider or thicker cut zone;

Depicted in FIG. 7A is an example handpiece 158 having a fluid inlet 160and a gas inlet 162;

FIG. 7B illustrates example locations for water outlets 164 in ahandpiece;

Depicted in FIGS. 8A-8F are example arrangements of the optical fibersat the output end of a handpiece; and

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrates an example of sectioning the crown of the toothfor crown preparation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Depicted in FIG. 2 is an example laser handpiece device 100 that can beused for cutting bone, tooth or other hard biological material. Thehandpiece 100 is an electromagnetic delivery device that functions as anelectromagnetically induced disruptive cutter. The handpiece 100 directselectromagnetic energy 102 in the form of beams of laser energy into aninteraction zone in close proximity to a surgical target 104 such as abone, tooth, or other hard biological material. Fluid particles 106 suchas water particles are also directed to the interaction zone.

The laser energy 102 interacts with fluid particles 106 in theinteraction zone and with water molecules contained within thebiological target. The laser energy is absorbed by and excites the fluidparticles 106 and the water molecules resulting in sequentialmicro-explosions of the fluid particle and water molecules. Thesemicro-explosions generate mechanical disruptive forces. The disruptiveforces when applied to the biological target result in a cutting effecton the surface of the target.

The laser energy 102 is at a wavelength and energy level sufficient toexcite micro-explosions in water molecules but not at levels sufficientto damage biological tissue. In the example system, typical values fortotal laser energy (energy emitted by all fibers) per laser pulse mayrange from about 0.05 J to about 2.0 J, and the energy may be generatedwith a wavelength ranging from about 2.75 μm to about 3.00 μm.

The fluid particles injected into the interaction zone perform a numberof purposes. Some of the fluid particles absorb beams of light, explode,and impart a mechanical disruptive force to the target. Remainingportions of the fluid particles reduce the temperature surrounding theexplosion so that living cells adjacent the target area will not beexposed to the extreme heat resulting in cell necrosis and death.

Very efficient tissue cutting without adjacent cells necrosis can beachieved using this technology. In the example system, individual beamsare arranged parallel to each other in the same plane creating a linearsegment of beams at a target that are sequential fired. This reduces thelikelihood of a manual sweeping action being used to cut through tissueresulting in an efficient and accurately sized cut.

The handpiece 100 is coupled to an electromagnetic energy source 108(i.e., laser energy source) which generates laser energy. Theelectromagnetic energy source 108 may include devices comprisingmirrors, lenses, and other optical components for collimating andfocusing generated laser energy. The generated laser energy is deliveredto the handpiece 100 via a plurality of optical fibers 110 which extendinto the interior of the handpiece 100.

The electromagnetic energy source 108 may include a variety of differentlasers or other sources of light. The electromagnetic energy source 108may use an erbium, chromium, yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) solid state laser, which generates light having a wavelength ina range of approximately 2.70 to 2.80 μm. Laser systems used in otherexamples include an erbium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) solidstate laser, which generates radiation having a wavelength of 2.94 μm; achromium, thulium, erbium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (CTE:YAG) solidstate laser, which generates radiation having a wavelength of 2.69 μm;an erbium, yttrium orthoaluminate (Er:YAL03) solid state laser, whichgenerates radiation having a wavelength in a range of approximately 2.71to 2.86 μm; a holmium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) solid statelaser, which generates radiation having a wavelength of 2.10 μm; aquadrupled neodymium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (quadrupled Nd:YAG) solidstate laser, which generates radiation having a wavelength of 266 nm;excimer lasers, which generates radiation having a wavelength of 193-308nm; a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, which generates radiation having awavelength in a range of approximately 9.0 to 10.6 μm; and semiconductordiode lasers, which generate radiation having a wavelength in a range ofapproximately 400 to 1550 nm.

Depicted in FIG. 3A is a side view of an example laser handpiece device100. The handpiece 100 includes an input end 112 and an output end 114.The input end 112 receives several optical fibers 116 through whichelectromagnetic energy is delivered to the handpiece 100. Laser beamsthat are directed to the interaction zone at the surgical target exitthe handpiece at the output end 114. In the device illustrated, theheight of the handpiece is larger at the input end than at the outputend. This configuration reflects that at the input end, in the exampledevice, several optical fibers enter the handpiece in a honeycomb shapedbundle. In a transition region 120 in the handpiece, the optical fiberstransition from a honeycomb shaped bundle to a flattened arrangementwherein at the output end the optical fibers are arranged in a flatparallel row of optical fibers.

Depicted in FIG. 3B is a top view of the example laser handpiece device100. This view illustrates the flattening of the fiber optic bundle to aflat parallel row of optical fibers. In this example, the width of thehandpiece is larger at the output end than at the input end alsohighlighting the transition of the optical fibers from a honeycombshaped bundle to a flat arrangement.

Other physical configurations of the laser handpiece device can beconstructed. Depicted in FIG. 3C is a view of an example handpiecehaving a cylindrical shape. At the input end several optical fibers 116enter the handpiece in a honeycomb shaped bundle. In a transition region120 in the handpiece, the optical fibers transition from a honeycombshaped bundle to a flattened arrangement. At the output end the opticalfibers are arranged in a flat parallel row of optical fibers. Thediameter of this example device is sufficient to accommodate thehoneycomb shaped bundle of optical fibers at the input end and the flatarrangement at the output end.

Depicted in FIG. 4A is a view of the transition region 120. A bundle ofoptical fibers 116 having a bundle diameter d enter the transitionregion. The optical fibers are separated from the bundle in thetransition region and fan-out 122 of the optical fibers occurs. Theoptical fibers exit the transition region arranged in a flat parallelrow of optical fibers 124 having a width w that is greater in magnitudethan d.

Depicted in FIG. 4B is an example housing 126 for fanning out theoptical fibers. The fibers may be fabricated of materials such as low OHquartz, germanium oxide, aluminum fluoride, or sapphire. The housing 126could be constructed from glass, glass fiber, stainless steel or othersuitable material. The housing 126 can receive a fiber optic bundle atan input opening 128 and dispense a flat parallel row of optical fibersat an output opening 130. The housing 126 has a transition regionbetween the two openings 128, 130 to allow the optical fibers toseparate from the bundle and fan-out.

The laser handpiece may be constructed with various numbers of fibers,fiber dimensions and shapes. For example, the handpiece may compriseabout 10 fibers for emitting 10 laser beams for cutting a 1 cm bone. Asanother example, about 50 fibers for emitting 50 beams may be employedfor the cutting of a 5 cm bone.

The light in the fibers are collimated and concentrated to produce avery concentrated light in each optical fiber. Depicted in FIG. 5A is anexample system for dispersing collimated light 132 from a collimatedlaser source to the individual optical fibers that enter the handhelddevice. One or more mirror(s) 134 or a prism direct collimated lightfrom a collimated power source to specific regions 136 at which theinputs to the optical fibers are located. The mirrors disperse power tomultiple fibers in a controlled manner so that the power in theindividual fibers will be the same. The mirrors can be controlled in aperiodic or non-linear manner, but controlled to ensure that the energyfrom the collimated light is dispersed evenly to the various opticalfibers. This allows for an even distribution of the laser energy when itexits the handpiece. In this example system, the scanning beam has awidth W1 at a distance L2=˜2-5 cm and scanning width W2=˜2-5 cm. Byadjusting the scanning width W1 relative to W2, the power density of thelight entering the optical fibers can be adjusted.

Depicted in FIGS. 5B-5D are example control signals for controlling thescan rate of mirror 134. FIG. 5B illustrates the use of a triangularshaped control signal. FIG. 5C illustrates the use of a higher frequencytriangular shaped control signal. FIG. 5D illustrates the use of anon-linear control signal.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, electromagnetic energy 140 dispensed from anexample handpiece 142 may be collimated and therefore will spread slowlyas it propagates toward a cut zone 144 at a surgical target 146. Asillustrated in FIG. 6B, various lens tips may be applied to the end 148of handpiece 142 to cause varied spreading of the electromagnetic energyas it is dispensed to different cut zones. Lens tips may also be used tocause clearer cuts. Tapered tip 150 may be used to direct theelectromagnetic energy to the side as it leaves the handpiece. The useof rectangular tip 152 may not cause the electromagnetic energy tospread as it leaves the handpiece. Rounded tip 154 may be used to focusthe electromagnetic energy at a specific distance from the handpiece.Use of tips with various shapes may be of particular interest indifficult to access areas, like periodontal pockets or root canal systemin dentistry; or in the intervertibral disk area in the spine.

Depicted in FIG. 7A is an example handpiece 158 having a fluid inlet 160and a gas inlet 162. The handpiece 158 also includes water outlets 164between and/or around the fibers 166 as also illustrated in FIG. 7B. Byinputting fluid such as water through fluid inlet 160 and pressurize gassuch as forced air through the gas inlet 162, the handpiece 158 canexpel fluid particles at a target via outlets 164 in addition todirecting electromagnetic energy toward the target. The handpiecetherefore can also function as a fluid router for injecting fluidparticles into the interaction zone.

Depicted in FIGS. 8A-8D are example arrangements of the optical fibersat the output end of a handpiece. FIG. 8A illustrates an arrangementthat could yield a standard cut length. FIG. 8B illustrates anarrangement that could result in a curved or non-linear cut. FIG. 8Cillustrates an arrangement that can result in a longer cut length. FIG.8D illustrates an arrangement that can result in a wider cut area. FIG.8E illustrates an arrangement that can result in a circular cut. FIG. 8Fillustrates an arrangement that can result in an angled cut. Theseexamples illustrate that the optical fibers can be arranged in variousshapes and lengths to create the optimal cutting pattern.

Depicted in FIGS. 9A-9C are examples of tooth crown sectioning withvertical (FIG. 9B) and horizontal (FIG. 9C) cutting tips.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable a person skilled in the artto make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention mayinclude other examples.

It should be understood that as used in the description herein andthroughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the”includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims thatfollow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Further, as used in the description hereinand throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “each” does notrequire “each and every” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Finally, as used in the description herein and throughout the claimsthat follow, the meanings of “and” and “or” include both the conjunctiveand disjunctive and may be used interchangeably unless the contextexpressly dictates otherwise; the phrase “exclusive of” may be used toindicate situations where only the disjunctive meaning may apply.

It is claimed:
 1. A surgical handpiece for providing an electromagneticcutting blade, comprising: a body portion having an input end and anoutput end; a plurality of optical fibers configured and arranged forreceiving laser energy having a wavelength within a predeterminedwavelength range, wherein the optical fibers are received in the bodyportion at the input end and extend to the output end, the output endbeing substantially free of obstructions to the laser energy in theoptical fibers; and an optical fiber transition region within the bodyportion for arranging the plurality of optical fibers into apredetermined cutting shape at the output end; a plurality of wateroutlets between and/or around the plurality of optical fibers, theplurality of water outlets configured to inject fluid particles into aninteraction zone; and wherein the laser energy transmitted from thearranged optical fibers at the output end is configured to enter theinteraction zone proximate a surgical target zone and interact withfluid particles in the interaction zone and with water molecules withinthe surgical target to generate a cutting effect to the surgical target,the optical fibers being, at a location within the body portion, groupedtogether in a bundle, and the optical fibers being, at the output end,strung out along a line that follows the predetermined cutting shape,wherein the spacing and arrangement of the optical fibers at the outputend is different from the spacing and arrangement of the optical fibersat the input end, and the cutting effect producing, on the surgicaltarget, a line of cutting that matches the predetermined cutting shape.2. The handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the body portion furthercomprises a fluid inlet configured and arranged for receiving a fluid;and wherein the plurality of water outlets are configured and arrangedfor directing the received fluid at a surgical target.
 3. The handpieceaccording to claim 2, wherein the body portion further comprises a gasinlet configured and arranged for receiving air; and wherein theplurality of water outlets are configured to direct the received air atthe surgical target.
 4. The handpiece according to claim 1, furthercomprising a transition housing configured and arranged for fanning outa bundle of the optical fibers.
 5. The handpiece according to claim 4,wherein the transition housing is fabricated of at least one of solidglass, and stainless steel.
 6. The handpiece according to claim 1,wherein transmitting ends of the plurality of optical fibers arearranged in a straight line.
 7. The handpiece according to claim 1,wherein transmitting ends of the plurality of optical fibers arearranged in a curved line.
 8. The handpiece according to claim 1,wherein transmitting ends of the plurality of optical fibers arearranged in two straight lines.
 9. The handpiece according to claim 1,wherein the output end comprises a lens tip having at least one of atapered shape, a rectangular shape, and a rounded shape.
 10. Thehandpiece according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined wavelengthrange ranges from about 2.75 μm to about 3.00 μm.
 11. The handpieceaccording to claim 1, wherein the fibers are fabricated from at leastone of low OH quartz, germanium oxide, aluminum fluoride, and sapphire.12. The handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fiberscomprise about 10 or about 50 fibers.
 13. The handpiece according toclaim 1, wherein the laser energy distributed at the output end rangesfrom about 0.05 J to about 2.0 J.
 14. The handpiece according to claim1, wherein transmitting ends of the plurality of fibers are arranged fora circular cut.
 15. The handpiece according to claim 1, whereintransmitting ends of the plurality of fibers are arranged for an angledcut.
 16. A surgical device comprising: a collimated laser source; ascanning element configured and arranged to receive laser energy fromthe laser source and generate a scanning beam for scanning the laserenergy into a plurality of optical fibers; and a surgical handpiececonfigured for providing an electromagnetic cutting blade, the handpiececomprising: a body portion configured to receive the plurality ofoptical fibers and having an optical fiber transition region within thebody portion for arranging the plurality of optical fibers into apredetermined cutting shape at an output end of the body portion, theoutput end being substantially free of obstructions to the laser energyin the optical fibers; a plurality of water outlets between and/oraround the plurality of optical fibers, the plurality of water outletsconfigured to inject fluid particles into an interaction zone; andwherein the laser energy transmitted from the arranged optical fibers atthe output end is configured to enter the interaction zone proximate asurgical target zone and interact with fluid particles in theinteraction zone and with water molecules within the surgical target togenerate a cutting effect to the surgical target, the optical fibersbeing, at a location within the body portion, grouped together in abundle wherein the spacing and arrangement of the optical fibers at theoutput end is different from the spacing and arrangement of the opticalfibers at an input end of the body portion; and the optical fibersbeing, at the output end, strung out along a line that follows thepredetermined cutting shape; and the cutting effect producing, on thesurgical target, a line of cutting that matches the predeterminedcutting shape.
 17. The device according to claim 16, wherein thescanning element comprises at least one of a mirror, and a prism. 18.The device according to claim 16, wherein the body portion furthercomprises a fluid inlet configured and arranged for receiving a fluid;and wherein the plurality of water outlets are configured and arrangedfor directing the received fluid at a surgical target.
 19. The deviceaccording to claim 18, wherein the body portion further comprises a gasinlet configured and arranged for receiving air; and wherein theplurality of water outlets are configured to direct the received air atthe surgical target.
 20. The device according to claim 16, furthercomprising a transition housing configured and arranged for fanning outa bundle of the optical fibers.
 21. The device according to claim 20,wherein the transition housing is fabricated of at least one of solidglass, and stainless steel.
 22. The device according to claim 16,wherein transmitting ends of the plurality of optical fibers arearranged in a straight line.
 23. The device according to claim 16,wherein transmitting ends of the plurality of optical fibers arearranged in a curved line.
 24. The device according to claim 16, whereintransmitting ends of the plurality of optical fibers are arranged in twostraight lines.
 25. The device according to claim 16, wherein the outputend comprises a lens tip having at least one of a tapered shape, arectangular shape, and a rounded shape.
 26. The device according toclaim 16, wherein the laser energy distributed at the output end rangesfrom about 0.05 J to about 2.0 J.
 27. The device according to claim 16,wherein transmitting ends of the plurality of fibers are arranged for acircular cut.
 28. The device according to claim 16, wherein transmittingends of the plurality of fibers are arranged for an angled cut.